Sr. Development Engineer

Corning•Wilmington, NC

13d•$101,784 - $139,953

About The Position

Corning’s Optical Communications segment provides optical-based communications infrastructure and networks for carrier and enterprise customers. The Sr. Development Engineer leads and works with multidisciplinary teams to design, develop, and industrialize tooling and manufacturing equipment for Hyperscale Data Center quartz machining. The work targets improved product attributes, reduced costs, and increased optical fiber manufacturing output. The role serves as the tooling development lead across quartz machining operations, including optical fiber preform, drilling, and grinding. The engineer develops manufacturing equipment platforms and automation, specifies and validates tooling and workholding, and takes equipment concepts through design, build, integration, testing, and commissioning. The position also integrates mechanical hardware and automation, including motion, actuation, and safety systems, and collaborates with controls and process engineering, equipment deployment, and manufacturing teams during later technology-development stages. Domestic travel is less than 10%. The position does not support immigration sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a similar field, with 3–5 years of manufacturing experience working with equipment design, tooling, and automation; or a master’s degree in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering with applicable co-op and/or internship experience.
Understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including statics and dynamics, tolerances, materials, and precision machining.
Background in manufacturing equipment development, with working knowledge of the associated manufacturing process and relevant physical phenomena such as heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and optics.
Experience with manufacturing equipment design and development from concept and detailed design through build, integration, and commissioning, including machine layouts, component selection, and assembly drawings.
Knowledge of automation design and development, including motion control, actuation, sensors, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, and integration of associated safety systems into an equipment package.
3-D CAD modeling and detailed drawing capability, including GD&T, tooling, fixturing, and machine-assembly design.
Strong experimental, instrumentation, and analytical skills to ensure data is valid and traceable.

Nice To Haves

Experience related to optical fiber manufacturing processes and equipment.
Experience with precision machining, deep-hole drilling, and grinding processes and associated tooling; quartz/glass machining experience is a plus.
Ability to provide solutions requiring current and advanced equipment design and automation methods.
Strong background in machine design, tooling, and custom workholding.
Familiarity with dimensional metrology, including CMM, X-ray CT, and profilometry.
Operational skills to execute equipment validation (FAT/SAT) test plans and acceptance procedures.

Responsibilities

Lead tooling development for Hyperscale Data Center quartz machining operations, including optical fiber preform, drilling, and grinding.
Specify, design, and validate drilling, grinding, and machining tooling, fixturing, and custom workholding across quartz operations.
Design, develop, and industrialize manufacturing equipment platforms and automation to enable new and improved optical fiber manufacturing processes.
Identify equipment and tooling concepts using mechanical and equipment design engineering fundamentals; design, build, and test selected concepts independently and in teams.
Specify, integrate, test, and validate mechanical hardware and automation, including motion, actuation, and associated safety systems.
Collaborate with controls engineering, process engineering, equipment deployment, and manufacturing receivers during later stages of technology development.

Benefits

Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives.
100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions.
401(k) savings plan with matching contributions; total company retirement contributions can reach 7%–12% of pay, depending on age and years of service.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Paid parental leave and family building support.
Fitness benefits.
Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits.
Disease management programs.
Paid time off.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward exceptional contributions.